Dr. Gorrie gravesite at the John Gorrie Museum State Park in Apalachicola, Florida.

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General Note

Arriving at Apalachicola in 1833 and remaining until his death in 1855, Dr. John Gorrie, a brilliant physician and inventor, served as postmaster, city treasurer, town councilman, and bank director. Concern for his yellow fever patients motivated Gorrie to invent a method for cooling their rooms. His invention laid the groundwork for modern refrigeration and air conditioning and was the first patented ice machine.

Florida Memory is funded under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Florida’s LSTA program is administered by the Department of State's Division of Library and Information Services.